Lazio Veteran the Favorite To Start Over Nigeria Star Against Torino | OneFootball

Lazio manager Marco Baroni still has a few selection dilemmas to resolve ahead of the Torino clash, but Pedro is being tipped to start on Monday evening.

Lazio Desperate for Victory

This will be a must-win match for the Aquile if they intend to preserve their Top Four hopes, especially with Bologna and Juventus both winning on Saturday. The international break gave the team a timely breather as they were enduring their worst run since the start of the season, as depicted by their woeful display at the Renato Dall’Ara.

Boulaye Dia to Lead the Line

However, Baroni will still have to do without his main striker, Taty Castellanos, who suffered a fresh injury blow. The manager has been struggling to replace the Argentinian, as none of the alternatives managed to make up for his goals. But according to La Lazio Siamo Noi, Boulaye Dia will get the nod ahead of Tijjani Noslin and Loum Tchaouna this time.

Pedro Expected to Start in Lazio vs Torino

The versatile Senegalese has been mostly deployed as an attacking midfielder this season. Hence, shifting him to the centre-forward role will leave a vacant spot in the hole. As the source explains, Pedro and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru are the two main options for this role, but the 37-year-old is considered the favorite at this stage.

The Usual Suspects

Despite suffering from a slight issue in the tendon, Gustav Isaksen is still expected to start on the right wing, with Mattia Zaccagni operating on the opposite flank. Any late twists aside, Nicolo Rovella and Matteo Guendouzi will maintain their spots in the middle of the park.

Defensive Revamp

Finally, the backline is set to undergo a major overhaul, with Elseid Hysaj and Luca Pellegrini coming in for Manuel Lazzari and Adam Marusic, while Samuel Gigot replaces Mario Gila at the heart of the defence, algongside Alessio Romagnoli.

Lazio (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Hysaj, Gigot, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen; Pedro, Zaccagni; Dia.